Ibis birds all have scythe-shaped bill, but come in different colors

Great White Egret

Great White Egrets are majestic birds that can been seen throughout the area along bayous and lakes, even in the heart of the city, such as the pond at Sam Houston Park on the Western edge of Downtown.

Little Blue Heron and Great Egret on take-off at a lake

Little Blue Heron

Little Blue Heron amid greenery on lake shore

Green Energy Corridor

BP America Office Towers seen across Highway 6 and tree canopies from Barker Dam Road

Sufficient rain and humidity this year to keep the grass and foliage lush. No drought condition. So the Class A Energy Corridor Office Towers can not only sport their "green" credentials in terms of design, energy efficiency, and functionality; they are also surrounded by abundant greenery of the natural and seasonal kind.  

Enclave Parkway - Corner at Briar Forest

Night Herons at the water

Yellow-crowned heron in grassy spot along Groeschke Road / Bear Creek area

Black-crowned Night Heron standing in stream flowing into Buffalo Bayou near Highway 6  road bridge

The Night Heron has its name for reason. This medium-sized bird comes out at dusk and can be found standing on the edge of the water or -- as in the picture above -- in a stream of water. Along with great white egrets and snowy egrets, the night heron can be seen frequently along Buffalo Bayou and its tributaries. This bird remains still, almost like frozen, for long periods of time and is easy to photograph, albeit in a low-light environment. The photo above was taken at the spillway downstream from the gate where Buffalo Bayou gushes out from the reservoir behind Barker Dam. 

Buffalo Bayou at Highway 6 Bridge, where herons and egrets can be seen regularly

Night herons and many other large birds, including great white egrets, blue herons, and ibises, are even more abundant at Brazos Bend State Park near Richmond, TX. Night herons can be seen there at dusk on the shores of several lakes. The photos of the white-capped night herons below were taken there. 

Yellow-crowned Night Heron

Energy Crossing II Construction Update (photo of skeleton of Class A office building under construction at Katy Fwy and SH-6)

Energy Crossing II -  Project status as of June 5, 2013
(photo from Barker Dam looking North)

Dandelion

Wildflowers in George Bush Park in June

Sensitive Briar in field behind Barker Dam

Yellow Cone Flower are ubiquitous in the area

Even a mere stroll on Barker Dam offers a microcosm exemplifying the diversity or area wild flowers, not to mention a palette of magnificent colors.

Indian Paintbrush flowers are also common, but not as abundent

Purple Passion Flower grows as a vine, but also close to the ground
and in the grass

Flowers along the gravel road on top of Barker Dam

Bush of yellow flowers growing in gaps between stone slabs at Buffalo Bayou spillway
downstream from the Barker Dam gate

West Houston landscape pics with clouds

Sunset at Lake inside Barker Resevoir behind the Dam

Katy Prairie / Landscape in Equestrian Trail Area of George Bush Park (6/6/2013) 

Silhouettes of prairie grasses against blue sky with back-lit clouds

Storm clouds over Noble Road Trail 

Thunderstorm weather system with heavy clouds drifting by near Katy
View from Barker-Clodine Bike Trail in George Bush Park June 6, 2013

Deer Watching and photographing in George Bush Park

Deer can be seen regularly in George Bush Park along the trail, even from top of the Dam -- whether on the Eastern side near the gate (running North-South), or on the North side which runs parallel with Katy Freeway. Taking pictures of them -- at least with amateur equipment -- is more of a challenge, for they are shy and will disappear back into the woods  if you were to approach to reduce the distance (and focal length). Because they typically emerge only at dusk, i.e. in low-light conditions, shutter speed is an issue.

A point-and-shooter with superzoom will help, but the animals will often still come out blurred if they move when you press the release button, even when you use a tripod and there is no camera shake.

Colorful nature in May

Lake and landscape vistas in George Bush Park in May

Energy Corridor Skyline

Office buildings on BP America's corporate campus - view from Addicks Dam at dusk

Power lines at sunset - seen from Addicks Dam

Mexican Hats on Addicks Dam

The vegetation on the slopes of Addicks Dam varies somewhat with the seasons. This time of the year patches of yellow prairie coneflowers -- aptly called Mexican Hat in recognition of their sombrero-like flower heads -- enliven the green meadows and complement the panorama of tall prairie grasses swaying in the wind.

Prairie grasses and cone flowers with Addicks Reservoir grounds in the background

 Scientific name: Ratibida columnifera aka Ratibida columnaris